They talked a long time. Beverly revealed that she’d recently discovered her husband was not just cheating but actually having an affair with one of his co-workers. They’d only been married a year and a half and he’d been with the other one at least six months.
“Well, what’s that make me?” Bill asked. “I’ve only been married a few months.”
“You haven’t cheated yet.”
“No? What was this?”
“Fun.”
“Really?”
“Really. You love me?”
“I don’t even know you.”
“Exactly. Does this mean anything to you?”
“Like what?”
“Like anything?”
“Not really.”
“See?”
“See what?”
“See what I’m saying?”
“I see what you’re saying. And I feel you. But it’s still cheating.”
“Not exactly.” Beverly kissed Bill. “When we go bareback, that will be cheating.”
“Oh? Have you got it planned?”
“I’m seriously thinking about it. I think it would be great fun with you.”
“Maybe,” Bill said.
“Aren’t you curious?”
“Honestly? Sure I am.”
“So, there we are.”
“I’m getting excited just thinking about it.”
“I can fix that,” Beverly said.
And she did.
“You done for the day?” Bill asked.
“I believe I am,” Beverly said. “When will I see you again?”
“I don’t have the banquet schedule. But I’m always in The Falstaff Room.“
“Well, whenever it is, I’ll see you then. Maybe we’ll both know what we want by then.”
“I know what I want,” Bill said. “It’s what I should and shouldn’t do that’s the issue.”
“True,” Beverly said. “But I’m just about a hundred percent sure what I’m going to do.”
“Aye,” Bill said. And then he thought that in the long run, so long as it didn’t mean anything to him, so long as he kept it compartmentalized and only here at work, well, maybe it was — no, it wasn’t okay, but actually it didn’t mean shit to a train. Or did it?
Jimmy banquet chef was waiting for him. It was a small party just ninety-five people for dinner. Surf and turf, baked potato, fresh green beans with almonds au buerre. They had to cut the tenderloins into steaks and set up the lobster tails for broiling.
Jimmy asked about the banquet waitress.
Bill pretended nothing had happened, and Jimmy didn’t know anything had happened so he got away with just telling him that she was twenty-six and had gone to Ohio State. They had that in common even though she had only gone for a year. She’d nearly flunked out her first trimester and was on probation the rest of her first year. That was the way it went, Bill explained. Anyone who was a state resident and had graduated high school could go to the state university. Seventy-five percent of those state residents who went flunked out their first year in just the pattern Beverly had fallen into.
He also told Jimmy Banquet Chef that Beverly was married and she and her husband lived somewhere here in Cleveland.
“Looks like you’re gonna be a popular guy,” the banquet chef said.
“Look around,” Bill said. “I’m the only young cook around here. I’m the only American. I’m educated and in shape. I’m in a position they perceive as a powerful one.” He laughed. “Every bachelor’s dream. But I’m not a bachelor.”
They cut the steaks quickly and they cut the leftover pieces of meat from the tenderloins into cubes. Jimmy would braise these for a meal for the employees. Although Bill would never have to utilize it, the hotel did have a cafeteria for the help. Kitchen staff generally ate for free. The other staff paid a minimal price for eating well right there on the job. They got convenience and good food for just about nothing.
When the steaks were wrapped and put away, they went to work on the lobster tails. This was more tedious work. The tail had to be split, carefully, and the meat had to be taken out without being completely separated from the tail and laid out on top of it. It had to be brushed with butter, seasoned and sprinkled with paprika just for prettiness.
Then they were done and Bill had some more free time.
